Journalism of Courage
Australia declared on an overnight score of 251/6, a lead of 348 runs and set India a target of 349 runs on the last day. KL Rahul and Murali Vijay began with grit and looked positive. (Source: AP)
But Nathan Lyon had other plans. A fifth day Sydney pitch turned and bounced and KL Rahul was caught at leg-slip and India lost its first wicket on 48. (Source: AP)
India needed another partnership and Rohit Sharma did just that with Murali Vijay. India went into lunch on 73/1. In the second session, Rohit Sharma continued his good work before throwing his wicket. He wanted to guide the ball through third-man region but Steve Smith, who had two catches in the match, pulled off a stellar catch to break the stand. (Source: AP)
With India on the back-foot, Australia went for spin. Nathan Lyon was brought into the attack. His warm-up is bit unique just like the picture! (Source: Reuters)
Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay struggled and batted with intent and led India into Tea at 160/2 and made sure India do not suffer another batting collapse in the second session. (Source: Reuters)
But it was curtains for Murali Vijay just after Tea. He attacked the bowlers but played a loose shot and was out caught-behind off Josh Hazlewood for a brilliant 81. India were three down but still had Virat Kohli at the other end. (Source: Reuters)
Mitchell Starc removed India's hopes too! He bowled a brilliant spell of pace bowling and made Kohli to edge to slips where Shane Watson took a good catch. Kohli missed a fifty by 4 runs and finished the series with 692 runs, second highest. (Source: AP)
Like they did in England, India suffered another batting collapse when Mitchell Starc removed Suresh Raina in the same over for a duck. This was Raina's pair. Raina's score in his some last Test innings - 0, 3, 55, 0, 0, 0. (Source: Reuters)
With all the pressure from the pacers, Nathan Lyon made the Indian batsmen scum to it. His next victim was Wriddhiman Shah who faced 11 balls but failed to open his account before Lyon trapped him in front. India were 7 down with 18.5 overs remaining in the day. (Source: Reuters)
Ajinkya Rahane and Ashwin kept struggling before Ashwin was adjudged LBW to Josh Hazlewood on a very close call. In came Bhuvneshwar Kumar and he showed the grit to hang in there. Australia tried hard and the fielders were up for the grabs but it never came. (Source: AP)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ajinkya Rahane managed to draw. India's wait for the first series win Down Under continues. (Source: Reuters)
India hung in there and salvaged a draw but Australia had already claimed the Boerder-Gavaskar trophy. Steve Smith, who scored 769 runs in the series with four tons, was presented the trophy by none other than the two former captains from the nations - Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar. (Source: Reuters)
The series had a great showpiece of Indian batting but the bowling let the team down. Even skipper Virat Kohli accepted that they were outbowled in the series. But with lot of positives from the series, India head to the tri-series which will also feature England. (Source: AP)
A young Australian team, which was said to have a weak batting team before the series, were the proud winners. The batsmen never let them down and nor did the bowlers. You can add the crowd support as well. Steve Smith led from the front and his team proved their worth. (Source: Reuters)
